Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/41

 carefully observed the great events of history which were taking place. When he arrived at man's estate, Charles rapidly advanced his young favorite, and the highest and most important duties were confided to his discretion. Before he was twenty-one years of age, William was made commander-in-chief of the army on the French frontier.

It was on the arm of William that the Emperor leaned in that magnificent scene of his abdication; and William was also selected by Philip, on account of his wonderful gift of diplomacy, to arrange the terms of the famous treaty with France. It was during his absence from the Netherlands on this embassy that he made the discovery which earned for him the title “The Silent Prince.”

While hunting with King Henry in the forest at Vincennes, William and his royal host became separated from the rest of the company. The King was full of a plot, which he and Philip were concocting, to extirpate Protestantism from France and the Netherlands. Feeling confident of the sympathy of William, whom he believed to be aware of the plan, Henry opened the subject without reserve. His discreet companion manifested no surprise, even when Henry with cruel cynicism explained the details of the projected massacre, and volunteered the information that the Spanish troops were being retained in the Netherlands for no other